In the Band

Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Allison’s P.O.V.

“It’s ok, stop worrying, you’re gonna do great,” I said to the practically hyperventilating Carson.

She tapped her fingers on her leg nervously. “But what if…”

“Nothing bad will happen…trust me,” I cut her off, putting my hand on her shoulder reassuringly. “Just don’t forget to breathe.”

We were sitting backstage on this French talk show set, waiting for Carson to be called out by the host, Stacy. Carson’s cue was called. She took in a deep breath and pushed herself off the couch.

“Break a leg!” I called after her as she walked onto the stage. After she left, I watched the interview on a little monitor to the right of me.

“How is it to be in Panic at the Disco?” Stacy asked in a slight French accent.

Wait, what kind of French name is Stacy? Maybe it’s short for something… Maybe it is French. Heck, the only French names I know are the ones from ‘Beauty and the Beast.’

“I absolutely love it!” Carson gushed.

After a couple questions, the host asked, “So, Carson, how is it to be the only girl in a band full of guys?”

I immediately laughed with them, remembering the elevator incident that happened earlier today….

“Allison, we’re gonna make it! I can’t let him win again! He won’t let me live it down!” Ryan had said in the elevator, while jumping with impatience. He looked so gorgeous, even with his hair all messy from the plane ride. No wonder Carson talked about him all the time. A ding came, signaling we arrived on our floor.

“Yes! We made it!” I heard Brendon’s yell in the hall through the elevator doors.

Ryan hit his head off the wall. “Damnit! Now I have to pay for dinner.” He lifted it as the doors opened a split-second later.

When the interview was over, the band played 'Memories', Carson’s favourite song. I got up to go to another room, while the band signed stuff.

I came into a decent sized room with a two couches, a TV against the wall, a coffee table and a little counter with a coffeemaker and a microwave on it. The room must’ve been an employee lounge or something. After plopping down on the couch, I remembered how alone I felt.

Being alone with my thoughts is never a good thing. I closed my eyes and tried to think positive.

I’m in a good place, with good people, and a new beginning. I’m in Europe, with my friends, and I’ll be here for a while. I’m in France, with my best friend and favourite band, and am safe. I’m in Paris, with Carson, Brendon, Jon, Ryan, and Spencer, and away from my father.

I breathed out and opened my eyes. Listing things seemed to calm me down, so I’ve been doing it a lot lately.

Picking up the remote on the coffee table and putting up my feet, I turned on the TV and flipped through channels to try to find something I would understand. Giving up on that, I decided to watch a cooking channel.

The woman on the TV was making some sort of dessert; I wasn’t sure which one though because I don’t know much French. I sat watching her crack eggs and whisk ingredients, until I found myself struggling to keep my eyes opened and slipped out of consciousness…

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“Aw, look at Allison! She’s drooling!”

I woke up to the sound of laughter and feet walking across the wood floor.